PARADISE LOST - Obsidian LP

The sixteenth PARADISE LOST studio album, „Obsidian“ eschews its immediate predecessors’ gruesome, myopic approach in favour of a richer and more dynamic deluge of black shades. From the deceptive elegance and dual atmospheres of opener ‚Darker Thoughts‘ through to the crushing, baroque doom of war-torn closer ‚Ravenghast‘, „Obsidian“ reveals a band in masterful control of a broad array of vital ideas. Most noticeably, the record boasts several songs that draw heavily from the much-loved, Kohl-encrusted days of ‘80s gothic rock: in particular, newly-minted PARADISE LOST anthems ‚Ghosts‘ is a guaranteed dancefloor-filler at any discerning goth nightclub. Fans of PARADISE LOST‘s crushing doom phase have no reason to fear Obsidian’s diverse approach. Providing thrilling contrast with the snappy, pulsing grooves of ‚Ghosts‘ and its gothic counterparts, album closer ‚Ravenghast‘ plainly ranks as one of the darkest and heaviest things the band have ever recorded. As they march through their fourth decade as a band, PARADISE LOST have never sounded more potent or unified in their determination to bring the darkness to life. „Obsidian“ is yet another glowering career peak, not just matching the imperious form of „The Plague Within“ and “Medusa“, but artfully outstripping it with greater depth, colour and emotional power. While many bands of their vintage have embraced the nostalgia business, PARADISE LOST remain a vibrant, vital and endlessly classy force for creative metallic good.